The secret behind Tankovic's domination: "Be just a matter of time"

Some are good at scoring goals, others at playing forward. Muamer Tankovic is the best of both this year - a rare combination.

- Some people are a little shocked that things are going well, but I'm not shocked at all. I've always known that I have this in me. Since young days I have always been a good football player, I have dominated at all ages. That this would come now was just a matter of time, says the shooter, and sees only one weakness in his career:

- Last year in AZ Alkmaar when I just came to Hammarby, I had my little dip.

He left Norrköping at the age of 16 to become a youth professional in Fulham. There he made his way to the A-team before leaving for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. Initially it went well - but last season the offensive midfielder says that it suddenly just stopped playing time.

- Many times I could just lie down in bed and cry about how frustrating it was to perform at the workouts week in and week out but you didn't get the chance, he says and continues:

- But I also had good people there in the club who helped me, they wanted my best. They tried to push me and knew I was a good football player. They said "you must not give up, then you have ruined everything, this is a hardship and it is now that you show how good you are". Everyone is good in the headwind but when it's headwind - that's when you should show how good you are.

He believes that part of the success is how he handled the setback and took a step back. But it's not just mental things he points out. Another is the maturity and understanding of the game.

- I think I'm more determined in my decisions. When I get the ball I am best when I have the speed up. In the past, I was a little too stagnant, catching the ball and maybe trying to show a little too much. Now the goal is my goal and that is where I am going. I'm more direct towards goals, ”says Tankovic.

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One consequence of the success is the interest. The Swedish transfer window is closed but he can still leave for several major leagues until September 2.

- I haven't decided to stop or walk. The thing is that I want to go abroad, it's no secret and when I came to Hammarby it was the dialogue that went: "You have to come here to Bajen and do it well, then you go abroad again", he says and continues:

- But the club is also developing, so why not stay here. They have big plans too, at the same time you want to test and see how good you can be.

It should be right (when you leave)?

- It should be right. You know many players in allsvenskan make some assists and goals and think they should go abroad directly. They go abroad - then after a year they are back in allsvenskan again. It should not be my position, he says, and continues his reasoning:

- My position should be that if I go it must be the right club, where I should come as an important player. Not just as one in the crowd.

He says that he has been offered - but not the kind of sporting challenge he is looking for.

- I received a bid that I do not want to say correctly, but I felt no immediately. I'm too young to go there. If I am to leave, it will be here in Europe to one of the finer leagues.

Next week Janne Andersson takes out her national team squad for the European qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Norway. Tankovic is one of the names mentioned in the discussions.

- It sounds a bit boring but I'm just trying to focus on where I am right now and I'm in Hammarby right now and doing my absolute best I can. Then if I am taken out is not up to me, he says.

Before the national team squad is taken out, Falkenberg waits in the allsvenskan. He has scored in seven straight matches and seems undeniably difficult - but offers a tip.

How would you defend yourself?

- Haha, I've never had that question before, says Tankovic, thinking for a while before answering:

- I would probably wait, wait and wait until I get help from someone else.

It's run otherwise?

- One by one it's run.